Description
Perfectly crispy (or chewy!) oven-baked bacon, every time. No splattering grease, just delicious bacon with easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- Optional: 2 tablespoons brown sugar (for a sweeter bacon)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground is best!)
- Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper (for a little kick)
- Optional: Maple syrup for drizzling after baking
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Arrange Bacon: Lay bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Season (Optional): Sprinkle with brown sugar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Gently press the seasonings into the bacon.
- Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked to your desired level of crispness. Monitor closely to prevent burning.
- Remove and Drain: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use tongs to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bacon cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with maple syrup (optional).
Notes
- For even crispier bacon, use a wire rack on top of the baking sheet.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; bake in batches if necessary.
- Adjust oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) if bacon is browning too quickly.
- Save the bacon grease for other cooking uses.
- Experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, smoked paprika, or chili powder.
- For extra crispy bacon, broil for a minute or two after baking, watching closely.
- Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15